Free to Be

alternatives to drag queen story time

The New Seekers (Repetities 1970-02-24 Grand Gala du Disque Populaire).jpg/ Wikimedia Commons

In 1972, Marlo Thomas, in collaboration with the Ms. Foundation for Women, released the album “Free to Be… You and Me.” Followed by a television special in 1974, the album became the soundtrack of many Gen X childhoods.

In addition to the title track by The New Seekers, the album features William's Doll sung by Alan Alda, My Dog is A Plumber read by Dick Cavett, When We Grow Up sung by Diana Ross, Don't Dress Your Cat in An Apron read by Billy De Wolfe, and other age-appropriate songs and poems that question stereotypical sex roles. It celebrates the free exploration of interests by children without assigning any definitive conclusions to those activities (one exception being “William’s Doll,” which assumes a future parenting role for the little boy who wants a doll in accordance with the reasons he gives for wanting one). Due to the success of feminism, gay rights, and similar movements, the poems and songs, while still clever and catchy, are almost too didactic today.

Cut to 2015 and the debut of Drag Queen Story Hour. Billed as a celebration of reading “through the glamorous art of drag,” the story hours have been met by protests over the ensuing years, despite the rationale of library staff that they celebrate diversity, encourage the magic of make-believe and the creative play of dress-up, and promote inclusion for the LGBTQ community. It’s easy to imagine that some staff are hesitant to introduce Drag Queen Story Hour due to the political backlash it could invoke.

According to drag historian Joe E. Jeffreys, drag is defined as a person putting on clothes considered inappropriate to his or her sex and wearing those clothes “with some type of ironic distance.” Drag is equivalent to camp, in that it is parodying gender and culture. Some feminists criticize drag as misogynistic, but it could be interpreted as more of a parody of feminine stereotypes than femininity itself. Very few real-life women are leaving their houses in six-inch heels, fake eyelashes, and feather boas, but they may feel the pressure of feminine ideals. Drag lets some of that steam off.

KimChiDragQueen.jpg/ Wikimedia Commons

While drag shows would typically be inappropriate for children, I can see how they could be adapted to library story hours while still containing some winking humor for adult caregivers, in the vein of Pixar films and other entertainment for children (as far as bringing children to family drag shows at clubs, at least one dissident drag queen has weighed in). Some communities embrace them as fun and inclusive events; after a long stretch of child-rearing tedium I could see the appeal. What young children are getting out of Drag Queen Story Hour (outside of the stories shared and some amusement) is more questionable, however, as they likely do not truly understand what a drag queen is or what drag means. They may think the storyteller is simply a man in a funny costume or a woman who is heavy-handed with cosmetics. Is the concept of drag relevant or even comprehensible to a four your old? Susan Sontag’s essay Notes on "Camp" would be difficult for many adults to parse.

For communities who are less amenable or even hostile to Drag Queen Story Hour, other types of activities for children that encourage acceptance of non-stereotypical male and female behavior may be more welcomed and effective. Drag Queen Story Hour is likely both too narrow and too sophisticated compared to other types of storytelling and imaginative play, such as a magic costume box, specifically created for children.

Child in a fancy dress costume.jpg/ Wikimedia Commons

Although many recently-published picture books feature expansion of sex roles as the main theme (i.e., A Boy Like You, Drum Dream Girl, and Tillie and P-Trap the Plumber), stories for children no longer need be so explicit. They can simply show boys and girls behaving in non-stereotypical ways as background elements to the story. For example, in the singalong book My Friend Robot, kids build a treehouse with the help of a robot that was built by the young girl leading the group. In Bilal Cooks Daal, a young boy helps his father create a favorite family dish (admittedly, I had a difficult time finding picture books about male characters sewing, cooking meals for the family, or cleaning house).

In the more pointed Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, Morris, in addition to activities such as doing puzzles and riding in a cardboard spaceship, enjoys dressing up in a tangerine dress from the dress-up corner; he learns to resist the teasing from other children. Morris may grow up to be a fashion designer, an indie rock musician, a particularly dapper scientist, or none of the above. Leaving those questions open honors the mystery and wonder of childhood. Sparkle Boy, Fred Gets Dressed, and Angus All Aglow offer similar storylines. While I am wary of carrying water for the corporate and pharmaceutical interests that have become entwined with gender ideology, the love and acceptance these titles promote is laudable.

Drag shows are a hoot; I’m guessing the Drag Queen Story Hours are fun. But it’s worth analyzing what libraries are trying to accomplish with them and expanding upon methods for achieving those goals.

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